Fluid brake safety device



June 21, 1938. B DAVIS, JR 2,121,653

' FLUID BRAKE SAFETY DEVICE Filed June 3, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l PatentedJune 21, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUID BRAKE SAFETY DEVICE IGeorge B. Davis, J12, Washington, D. C. 7 Application June a, 1937,Serial No. 148,301

' 1o Claims. 1 (01. 303-84) This invention relates to a safety devicefor use I that a safety device, in accordance with this in-- vention,may be employed for any purpose for which it may be found applicable,and the invention has for its object to provide, in a. manner ashereinafter set forth, a safety device which when forming a part of ahydraulic or air braking system for front and rear wheels of anautomotive vehicle, acts to automatically shut off the forcing ofpressure only through that pressure conducting line to a brake 'unitwhen a break or leak develops in such line, whereby a waste of pressurefrom the system is prevented and the danger of the entire brake systemrendered inoperative is obviated.

The invention further aims to,provide, in a manner as hereinafter setforth, a safety device including an alarm or signal for automaticallyindicating when a pressure conducting line breaks or develops a leak andfurther includes an electrically operated means for refilling the lineafter the latter has been repaired.

Further objects are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, asafety device for the purpose referred to which is simple in itsconstruction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, readilyinstalled in respect to one or more pressure conducting lines orconduits, thoroughly eflicient in its use, conveniently repaired whenoccasion requires, formed'of detachably connected parts permitting of animpaired part being detached and a non-impaired part substitutedtherefor without discarding the non-impaired parts, and comparativelyinexpensive to manu- Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device in--stalled in connection with a hydraulic braking system of the fourwheeltype,

of the nipple is threaded.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof,

Figure 3 is a section on line 33, Figure 1 with a cover attached withthe cut-off structure in warning position,

Figure 4 is a diagrammatical view of the elec- 5 trical signalling andthe by-pass valve actuating systems,

Figure 5 is a top plan view ofa modified form, Figure 6 is a sideelevation of the form shown in Figure 5, 10

Figure 7 is a section on line |I, Figure 5 with the cut-off structure innormal position,

Figure 8 is a section on line 88, Figures 3 and 7 upon an enlargedscale, and

Figure 9 is a sectional detail illustrating the re- 15 tainer ring.

With reference to Figures 1 to 4, 8 and 9, the device includes ahydraulic pressure supply pipe l0 closed at one end, open at its otherend and adapted to be connected at its open end with a master cylinder,not shown. The pipe I0 is formed with a series of spaced tubular nipplesI i, I 2, l3, M which communicate with the interior of pipe l0 andconstitute discharge outlets therefor. Each nipple is formed of twoinner diameters, the larger of which is indicated at l5 and the smallerat l6. The junction of the two diameters form the nipple with aninternal shoulder H. The portion l5 of largest inner diameter The deviceincludes a base plate l8upon which is secured a casting, it formed withfour equally spaced sockets 20, only one shown, opening at one sidethereof and each has its wall threaded. That side of the casting i9which the sockets 20 open is indicated at 2!. Opening at the side 22 ofcasting iii are four equally spaced sockets 23, only one shown, formedwith threaded walls. The sockets 23 are of materially less-diameterthan, and open into sockets 20 and are disposed in ofiset relation withrespect to the sockets 20. The casting I9 is provided with ports 24,only one shown, corresponding in number to that of the, sockets 20 andsockets 23. Each port 24 opens into aligned sockets 20 and 23 axially ofthe 45 tion of the casting I9 is provided with four equal- 55 1y spacedports 28. only one shown, and each. of which is of angled contour. Eachport 28 includes branch 21 which opens at the top 28 of casting 8, abranch 38 disposed at right angles to branch 21 and having its innerface forming a continuation of the inner face of the nipples 25 and abranch 38 which opens through the base of a socket 28 at a point spacedfrom the port 28. The inner ends of the branches 21, 28 and 38 mergeinto each other. The branch 38 is disposedat a downward inclination withrespect to the inner ends of the branches 21, 28.

Positioned upon the top 28 of casting i8 is a sealing member 8i formedwith spaced openings registering with the branches 2! of the ports 28.Arranged upon the sealing member 3! is a casting 32 formed lengthwisethereof with a bore 33 constituting a valve chamber. Within said bore33, as well as extending from each end thereof, is a rotary valve 88corresponding in cross-section to the shape of-the bore 33. The casting32 is formed with four equally spaced ports 35,

only one shown, and each of which opens at one end into the bore 33 andat its otherend into a threaded socket 38. The sockets 38, only oneshown, open at the side 3701? the casting 32. The latter is anchored tothe casting i8 by the hold fast means 38 which extend through flanges 88formed at the bottom of casting 32 and also extend through the sealingmember 3|.

Secured upon .the base plate l8 and spaced from the casting i8'is a setof castings 48 of like form and each is provided with laterally disposedapertured ears 4! through which extend hold fast devices 42 foranchoring it to base plate l8. Each casting 48 is formed on its side 43with a peripherally threaded extension 44 and on its side 45 with anextension 48 of greater diameter than the extension 48. The, side 45 isformed with an annular groove 41 having its outer wall 48 aligning withand corresponding in diameter to that of-a socket 20. The outer wall 48is threaded. The inner wall of groove 41 is indicated at 49 and isformed of two different diameters. The junction of said diameters formswall 48 with a. shoulder 58. The part of largest diameter of the wall 48is of less length than the part of smallest diameter. The latter inproximity to the shoulder 58 is formed with an annular groove 5|extending circumferentially thereof and in which isarranged a splitexpansible retainer or latching ring 5|. The setting up of the wall 48in the manner as referred to provides the inner portion of the groove 41of less wi'dth than its outer portion. A part of the wall 48 is providedby the extension 48. The latter ,is formedwith a socket 52. The casting45 is provided with an inverted T-shaped port 53 consisting of avertical branch 54 and a pair of oppositely disposed horizontal branches55, 58. The inner ends of said branches merge into each other. Thebranch 55 opens into the socket 52 axially of the base thereof. Thebranch 56 extends through the extension 48.

Secured in the sockets 28 and in the grooves 41 are cylinders 51 havingone end closed by the casting I8 and the other end by the castings 45.Each cylinder has peripheral threads at its ends and which engage withthe threads on the wall of a socket 28 and on the wall 48 of a groove 41whereby the cylinders are fixedly secured to casting l8 and castings 48.

Slidably arranged within each of the cylinders 51 is a pressure operatedspring controlled shutof! structure 58 consisting of a sleeve valve 58number of the carriers 51.

formed between its transverse median and its rear end with integraltransverse partition 88 pro-- vided axially of its side 8| with a needlevalve 82 formed of a cone-shaped leading part and a follower part of.circular cross-section. The leading part of the valve 82 for a portionof its length is adapted to extend into and abut the outer end of thewall of the branch 55 and the follower part of valve 82 is of suchdiameter as to snugly engage the wall of socket 52, whereby when thestructure 58 is active, the valve 82 forms a double seal. Secured to thebase of socket 28 is an anchor 65 for one end of the controlling spring64 of the structure 58. The other end of spring 64 is connected to ananchor 63 secured to the side 86 of the partition 68. The normalposition of the structure 58 is as shown in Figure 3. The inner face ofsleeve valve 59 in proximity to its forward end is formed with anannular groove 68. The shoulder 58 on the wall 49 of groove 41 forms aseat for the forward end edge of sleeve valve 82. Anchored at itsforward end, in the side 86 of partition 82 of each structure ,58, is acarrier 61 of rod like form for a circuit closing member 68 which isanchored to and offset with respect'to the rear end of the carrier 61.through flanged bushings 69 anchored in the sockets 28 and through theopenings 24 in casting l9. The rear ends of the carrier 61 have handlepieces 18.

The base plate I8 is provided with a series of spaced parallel supportsll of insulating material and which correspond in number to the Securedupon the supports 11 are contacts 12 normally spaced from and coactingwith the members 68 for the purpose of closing normally open signalcontrolling circuits 13 for purpose of signalling when the structures 51are active. The contacts 12 include high parts 14 which are engageableand wiped by members 68 when the carriers 81 move forwardly to providefor the structure 58 to seal the cylinders 51 to the ports 53.

The valve 34 is formed with a series of equally spaced angle shapedports 15, only one shown, which are employed for establishingcommunication between the branches 21 of ports 26 with the ports 35 andfor shutting ofl! communication between the branches 2'! of the ports 26and the ports 35. The valve 34 is spring controlled, by a meansindicated at 16. The valve 34 has a squared extension I1 at one end andupon which is fixed a collar 18 provided with a crank arm 18. The springcontrolling means It bears against the collar 18. The valve 34 at itsouter end carries a means I9 which associates with the collar I8 forretaining valve 34 in casting 31. The valve 34 when in normal position,is as shown in Figure 3. The valve 34 is shifted from normal position bya solenoid 88 interposed in a normally open energizing circuit 8|therefor. The circuit 8| has interposed therein a manually operatednormally opened circuit closer 82 therefor. There is associated witheach structure 58 a signalling circuit l3 having interposed therein asignal 83. Interposed in the circuit 8| is a signal 84 to indicate whensuch circuit is closed. The signals 83, 84 are shown by way of exampleas of illuminable type.

Anchored in the sockets 32 are flanged tubular couplers 85. Anchored inthe branches 54 of the ports 53 are flanged tubular'couplers 88 andconnected to the casting 32 by the couplers 85 and to the casting 45 bythe couplers 88 are by- The carriers 61 extend .ing with the branches 59of the ports 53, are

pressure conduits or lines 89 which lead to the braking devices, notshown, of the wheels of the vehicle. I

It will be assumed that the parts of the device are in the position asshown in Figure 3 and with pressure equalized in the cylinders 51 onboth sides of the structures 58. If a conduit 99 should leak or break,the pressure at the rear of the structure 99 associated with suchconduit would shift the structure in a direction'to engage the shoulder59, wall of socket 52 and the outer end of the wall of the branch 55 oftheport53 thereby closing the latter to the cylinder 51, and on suchmovement to structure 59, that signal circuit which associates therewithwill be closed to signal the conduit 99 is impaired and that thecylinder 51 is closed to such conduit. After the damaged conduit hasbeen repaired, the circuit M is closed energizing the solenoid 99,causing it to act on arm "I9 in a manner to rotate valve 99 in adirection to establish communication between ports 25, 59 whereby therepaired line will be supplied with fiuid or liquid and after such fluidor liquid has been supplied to the extent of equalizing the pressure onboth sides of the structure I59, the latter will bemoved by itscontrolling spring to normal position, after which the circuit M isopened and which will allow of the valve 39 being automatically shiftedto the position shown in Figure 3 thereby closing communication betweenports 29, 53.

When the structure 59 has been shifted to engage shoulder 59, the wallof socket 52 and the outer end of branch 55 of port 53, the sleeve 59rides against the retainer ring i and the latter will engage in thegroove 56 and latch the structure 58 in sealing relation with respect toport 53 and further prevent the wobbling or shifting of such structure.The handles I9 of the carriers 91 are provided to conveniently permit ofmanually unlatching the shut-off structures 59, when occasion requiresby pulling the sleeves 59 clear of the retainer rings 5i.

Referring to Figures 5, 6 and '7, the base plate is indicated at 89 andarranged thereon is a set of spaced parallel castings 89 and a set ofspaced parallel castings 99 which align in spaced relation with thecastings 89. Each of the castings is formed with oppositely extendingapertured lateral ears 9| through which extend hold fast devices 92 foranchoring the castings to the base plate 88. The castings 89 are of likeform and each consists of an upstanding circular part 93 formed on oneside with an internally threaded annular flange 94. The part 93 is alsoformed with an opening 95 and a peripherally threaded tubular nipple 96having its inner face registering with the wall of opening 95. Thenipple 96 extends in an opposite direction with respect to that in whichthe flange 94 extends. Arranged rearwardly of the castings 99 is atubular member 91' formed centrally of its rear with a radially.

disposed intake port 98. Integral with the side 91 of member 91 isaperiphery threaded tubular nipple 99 having its inner face registeringwith the wall of port 98. The nipple 99 is adapted to be connected witha master cylinder, not shown. The other side 9'! of the member 91 hasformed therein four equally spaced parallel laterally disposed outletports I99, only one of which is shown. The side 9'! of the element 9'!has integral therewith four laterally extending tubular nipples I9I oflike form and each has its inner face upon two different diameters. Thejunction oi said diameters forms the nipple II with an annular shoulderI92. The part of smallest inner diameter of nipple I9I corresponds tothe diameter of a port I99 and registers with the latter. The part oflargest inner diameter of the nipple MI is threaded. The inner diameterof each nipple 96 corresponds to the part' pf smallest diameter ofthe-inner face of the nipple MI. The nipples 96 extend into the nipplesIill, threadedly engage with these latter and abut the shoulders 992.

Arranged within the member 97 is a tubular rotatable controlling valveI93 which is common to the nipples 99. The valve I93, centrally of oneside thereof, has a port I99 adapted to register with port 99 to enablethe supply of fluid pressure entering the valve. The latter has itsopposite side thereof formed with four spaced ports I95 adapted toregister with the portsi99. whereby communication is established betweenthe nipples 99 and the interior of the valve for the passage of pressureinto the cylinders to be referred to. Only one of the ports I95 isshown. The valve I93 projects from each end of member 9'5 and carries onone of its projecting ends a collar I99 and a manually operated handleI91 to enable the convenient rotation of the valve to adjust it when theoccasion requires. The other end of the valve has a retaining means I99which c'oacts with the collar I96 for maintaining the valve fromlongitudinally shifting with respect to the member 99.

The castings 99 are of like form and each has its side I99 formed in thesame manner as the side of a casting 90. Connected at its ends to a pairof aligned castings 89; 99 is a cylinder III) into which opens a port95. Slidably mounted in the cylinder H9 is a pressure operated springcontrolled shut-off structure I I I corresponding in form to that ofstructure 58 and which functions in the same manner as the latter. Eachcasting 99' has its side H2 formed with a peripherally threaded tubularnipple II3 connected to a pressure conduit I I9 leading to the brakingdevice, not shown, for the wheels of the vehicle. Each casting 99 isformed with a port I I5 having an upper part IIIi opening into socket .II! provided in the side I99 and in the extension I I8 on the side I99 ofa casting 99. The port H5 includes a part H9 which inclines from thepart H6 and opens into the inner end of the nipple II 3. The casting 99includes a socket I29 opening at its side H2 and which has its innerportion forming a valve chamber. The casting 99 is provided with a portI2I which leads from port H5 to the inner portion of socket I29.Arranged within the socket I29 is a spring controlled check valve I22 ofthe ball type and which is retained in the socket by a flanged tubularnipple I23 threadedly engaging with the wall of the socket. The innerend of the nipple I23 provides a seatfor the valve I22. The nipple I23furthermore constitutes anintake for supplying fluid pressure to theconduit H4. Arranged in the inner wall of the groove I24 in Qfthe sideN9 of casting 99 is a retainer 5|.

If the conduit II I should become impaired vor leak, pressure againstthe rear side of the structure I II will cause it to seat in thecasting.,99 in the same manner as that with respect to the operation ofthe structure 58 and will remain in seated position until pressure isequalized or: both sides thereof whereby the structure will be returnedto its normal position as shown in Figure 7. After the conduit ill hasbeen repmred, fluid is supplied thereto through the nipple I23, whilethe structure III is in a seated or sealing position.

The castings i9, 40 form respectively the intake and outlet heads forthe cylinders 51. The castings 89, 90 provide respectively the intakeand outlet heads for the cylinders H0. Each of the heads is ported.

Upon slow leakage or gradual loss of fluid from any line 88 the cut-offstructure slowly moves to the right of Fig. 3 until it reachesapproximately the position shown in that figure. If now brakeapplication is made, the'cut-ofi structure will move a short distance tothe right but not sufficient to close the port 56. This motion, however,will efiect closing of the signal circuit so that the operator hasnotice of the slow depletion of the brake line and may eifect refillingthereof by opening the valve 34;

What I claim is:

1. In a safety device for pressure operated brakes, a pressure controlfor interposition in the pressure conducting means leading to the brake,said control comprising a cylinder having intake and outlet headsprovided with ports for communication with said means, said outlet headbeing formed on its inner side with a socket and an annular groovesurrounding the socket, said a sleeve valve and a needle valve forextension respectively into said groove, socket and port for sealing thelatter to the cylinder when said structure automatically becomes activeon the impairment of that part of the pressure conducting means leadingfrom the outlet head.

2. Ina safety device for pressure operated brakes, a pressure controlfor interposition in the pressure conducting means leading to the brake,said control comprising a cylinder having intake and outlet headsprovided with ports for communication with said means, said outlet headbeing formed on its inner side with a socket and an annular groovesurrounding the socket, said outlet head having its port openingintosaid socket through the base of the latter, and a pressure operatedshut-off structure slidably mounted in said cylinder and having as partsthereof a sleeve valve and a needle valve for extension respectivelyinto said groove, socket and port for sealing the latter to the cylinderwhen said structure automatically becomes active on the impairment ofthat part of the pressure conducting means leading from the outlet head,said needle valve positioned on the axis of said structure, and saidsleeve valve being disposed in concentric spaced relation to said needlevalve.

3. In a safety device for pressure operated brakes, a pressure controlfor interposition in the pressure conducting means leading to .thebrake, said control comprising a cylinder having intake and outlet headsprovided with ports for communication with said means, said outlet headbeing formed on its inner side with a socket and an annular groovesurrounding the socket, said outlet head having its port opening intosaid socket through the base of the latter, and a pressure operatedshut-off structure slidably mounted'in said cylinder and having as partsthereof a sleeve valve and a needle valve for extension respectivelyinto said roove, socket and port for sealing the latter to the cylinderwhen said structure automatically becomes active on the impairment ofthat part of the pressure conducting means leading from the outlet head,said needle valve positioned on the axis of said structure, said sleevevalve being disposed in concentric spaced relation to said needle valve,said groove being of greater depth than said socket, the inner wall ofsaid groove provided intermediate its ends with a seat for the sleevevalve, and the diameters of said needle ,valve and socket being such toprovide a snug fit between them when said structure becomes active.

4. In a safety device for pressure operated brakes, a pressure controlfor interposition in the pressure conducting means leading to the brake,said control comprising a cylinder having intake and outlet headsprovided with ports for communication with said means, said outlet headbeing formed on its inner side with a socket and an annular groovesurrounding the socket, said outlet head having its port opening intosaid socket through the base of thelatter, and a pressure operatedshut-off structure slidably mounted in said cylinder and having as partsthereof a sleeve valve and a needle valve for extension respectivelyinto said groove, socket and port for sealing the latter to the cylinderwhen said structure automatically becomes active on the impairment ofthat part of the pressure conducting means leading from the outlet head,and a controlling spring for said structure, said spring anchored at oneend to said intake head and at its other end within said structure.

5. In a safety device for pressure operated brakes, a pressure controlfor interposition in the pressure conducting means leading to the brake,said control comprising a cylinder having intake and outlet headsprovided with ports for communication with said means, said outlet headbeing formed on its inner side with a socket and an. annular groovesurrounding the socket, said outlet head having its port opening intosaid socket through the base of the latter, a pressure operated shut-offstructure slidably mounted in said cylinder and having as parts thereofa sleeve valve and a needle valve for extension respectively into saidgroove, socket and port for sealing the latter to the cylinder whensaidstructure automatically becomes active on the impairment of thatpart of the pressure conducting means leading from the outlet head, anda resilient latching member for holding said structure when active, saidmember being carried by said outlet head, arranged in said groove andengageable in the inner face of the sleeve valve.

6. In a safety device for pressure operated brakes, a pressure controlfor interposition in the pressure conducting means leading to the brake,said control comprising a cylinder having intake and outlet headsprovided with ports for communication with said means, said outlet headbeing formed on its inner side with a socket and an annular groovesurrounding the socket, said outlet head having its port opening intosaid socket through thebase of the latter, a pressure operated shut-offstructure slidably mounted in said cylinder and having as parts thereofa sleeve valve and a needle valve for extension respectively into saidgroove, socket and port for sealing the latter to the cylinder when saidstructure automatically becomes active on the impairment of that part ofthe pressure conducting means leading from the outlet head, a resilientlatching member for holding said structure when active,

-' said member being carried by said outlet head,

arranged in said groove and engageable in the inner face of the sleevevalve,.and a controllinz said control comprising a cylinder havingintake and outlet heads provided with ports for communication with saidmeans, said outlet head being formed on its inner side with a socket andan annular groove surrounding the socket, said outlet head having itsport opening into said socket through the base of the latter, a pressureoperated shut-oi! structure slidably mounted in said cylinder andhavingas parts thereof a sleeve valve and a needle valve for extensionrespectively into said groove, socket and port for sealing the latter tothe cylinder, when said structure automatically becomes active on theimpairment of that part of the pressure conducting means leading fromthe outlet head, a normally closed valve controlled byepass formingmeans leading from the port in said intake head to the port in saidoutlet head, a normally open signalling circuit, means carried by saidstructure for closing said circuit when said structure is active forindicating when the said part of said pressure conducting means isimpaired, and electrically operated means for actuating the valve ofsaid bypass in a direction for establishing communication between theports in said heads when sai structure is active.

8. In a safetyvdevice for pressure operated brakes, a pressure controlfor interposition in the pressure conducting means leading to thebrake,.

said control comprising a cylinder having intake and outlet headsprovided with ports'for cornsmunication with said means, said outlethead being formed on its inner side with-'a's'ocket and an annulargroove-surrounding the socket, said ,outlethead having its port openinginto said socket through the base of the latter, a pressure operatedshut-om structure slidably mounted in said cylinder and having as partsthereof asleeve valve and a needle valve for extension respectively intosaid groove, socket and port forsealing the latter to the cylinder whensaid strucvalve controlled lay-pass forming means leading from the port'in said intake head to the port a in said outlet head,- a normally opensignalling circuit, means carried by said structure for closingsaidcircuit when said structure is active for indicating when the saidpart of said pressure conducting means .is impaired, and electricallyoperated means for actuating the valve of said by-pass in a directionfor establishing communication between the ports in said heads when saidstructure is active.

9. In a safety device for-pressure operated brakes, a pressure controlfor interposition irr'the.

pressure conducting means leading to the brake, said control comprisinga cylinder having intake and outlet heads provided with ports forcommunication with said means, said outlet head being formed on itsinner side with a socket and an annular groove surrounding the socket,said outlet comes active on the impairment of that part of the pressureconducting means leading from the outlet head, and means controlled bysaid structure, when .the latter is active for indicating when'the saidpart of the pressure conducting means is impaired.

10. In a safety device for pressure operated brakes, a pressure controlfor interposition in the pressure conducting means leading to the brake,said control comprising a cylinder having intake and outlet headsprovided with ports for communication .wlthsald means, a pressureoperated shut-o-od'structure slidably mounted in said cylinder, saidstructure and the inner side of said outlet head having coacting meansfor sealing the port in such head to the cylinder when said structureautomatically becomes active on the impairment of that part of thepressure conducting means leading from said outlet head, meanscontrolled by said structure, when the latter is active for-indicatingwhen the said part, ,of the pressure conducting means is impaired, a

normally closed valve controlled by-pass forming means leading from theport in the intake head to the port .in the outlet head, andelectrically operated means for actuating the valve of said by-pass in adirection for establishing communication between the ports in said headswhen said structure is active.

GEORGE a. DAVIS, JR,

